About This Tour
Most people who visit Portugal stay on the coast. The ones who venture east into the Alentejo find something completely different — and often say it's the best day of their trip. This tour is for them.
Évora is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Contained within Roman walls, its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where a 1st-century Roman Temple stands beside a 12th-century cathedral, and narrow whitewashed streets twist past aristocratic palaces and azulejo-tiled churches. Your guide brings it all to life — the Romans, the Moors, the Reconquista, and the extraordinary 16th century when this was the second most important city in Portugal. Then: the Chapel of Bones. Decorated with the skulls and bones of approximately 5,000 Franciscan monks, it's one of the most confrontational and unforgettable places in the country. And to close the day: a guided wine tasting at an Alentejo estate, where you'll discover why this inland region produces some of Portugal's most acclaimed wines. The cork oaks, the warm dry climate, and the ancient winemaking tradition add up to something genuinely exceptional.
Maximum 8 guests. Real guide. Real stories. Your ECO travelling friend in Lusitan lands.
What's Included in This Tour
Guided walk of Évora UNESCO historic centre
Chapel of Bones entry ticket — included
Roman Temple of Évora — 1st century AD
Évora Cathedral exterior guided visit
Guided wine tasting at an Alentejo estate
Light snacks with the wine tasting
8-seat air-conditioned minivan transport
Professional local guide throughout
Tour Itinerary
08:00 — Departure
Pickup — Central Lisbon
Early departure from the Marquês de Pombal area in our 8-seat air-conditioned minivan. Évora is approximately 1.5 hours east of Lisbon through the rolling Alentejo plains — one of the most beautiful drives in Portugal. Exact coordinates sent via WhatsApp after booking.
~09:45 — Stop 1
Évora — Roman Temple & Historic Centre (1h guided)
Begin at the Roman Temple of Évora — one of the best-preserved Roman temples on the Iberian Peninsula, built in the 1st century AD and still standing beside the city's medieval walls. Your guide covers Évora's extraordinary layered history: 2,000 years of Roman, Visigothic, Moorish, and Portuguese occupation packed into a walled city smaller than a single Lisbon neighbourhood. Walk through the winding whitewashed streets, past aristocratic palaces, azulejo-covered churches, and the cathedral square where the Inquisition once held its trials.
~11:00 — Stop 2
Chapel of Bones — Igreja de São Francisco (45min)
The centrepiece of this tour — and one of the most extraordinary places in Portugal. The Chapel of Bones was built in the 16th century by Franciscan monks who exhumed the remains of approximately 5,000 of their brethren from overcrowded cemeteries and incorporated their bones into the chapel walls, arches, and pillars as a meditation on mortality. The inscription above the entrance: 'Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos' — 'We bones that are here await yours.' Your guide explains the religious philosophy behind it and the historical context of the Franciscan order in Portugal. Entry ticket included.
~12:00 — Stop 3
Lunch — Free Time in Évora (1 hour)
Free time for lunch in Évora (own cost). The city has excellent traditional Alentejo restaurants — migas, açorda, black pork dishes, and the local cheese. Your guide will recommend the best spots for every budget.
~14:00 — Stop 4
Alentejo Wine Estate — Guided Tasting (1h 30min)
Drive to a working Alentejo wine estate surrounded by cork oak and olive trees. The estate wine host guides you through 3 to 4 regional wines — typically a white and two or three reds made from indigenous Alentejo grapes: Aragonês, Trincadeira, and Alicante Bouschet. Learn about the Alentejo appellation, the role of the cork oak in the ecosystem, and why this hot, dry region produces wines with such extraordinary depth and structure. Light snacks accompany the tasting.
~16:00 — Return
Return to Lisbon (arrive ~17:45)
Scenic return drive west through the Alentejo plains back to central Lisbon. Drop-off at the original departure point or a nearby central location.
What's Included & What's Not
✓ Included
- 8-seat air-conditioned minivan
- Professional local guide
- Chapel of Bones entry ticket
- Guided historic centre walk — Évora
- Guided wine tasting — 3 to 4 Alentejo wines
- Light snacks during wine tasting
- All transport throughout the day
- Central Lisbon pickup & drop-off
- Free cancellation up to 24h
✗ Not Included
- Évora Cathedral interior (~€4.50, optional)
- Meals & beverages beyond the tasting
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities (appreciated but not required)
Good to Know
Meeting Point
Marquês de Pombal area, central Lisbon. Exact coordinates sent via WhatsApp after booking.
Summer Heat
The Alentejo is inland and can be significantly hotter than Lisbon in summer (July/August). Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a water bottle. The wine estate and some sites offer shade.
Fitness Level
Easy. Évora involves gentle walking on cobblestones and flat streets. No strenuous walking required.
The Chapel of Bones
The Chapel of Bones is a solemn and extraordinary place. It is not recommended for very young children or those sensitive to depictions of human remains. All others find it deeply fascinating.
Private Option
This tour is available as a fully private experience for your group. Message us for private pricing.
Departure Time
Approx 08:00. Exact time confirmed by WhatsApp after booking.
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Your ECO Travelling Friend In Lusitan Lands
The Alentejo is the largest region in Portugal and one of its most ecologically intact — dominated by cork oak forests (Portugal produces 50% of the world's cork), olive groves, and dry-farming vineyards that have sustained communities for centuries. We work exclusively with local Alentejo estates. Maximum 8 guests. That's the way we like it.
What Travellers Say
★★★★★
"The Chapel of Bones left me speechless. I wasn't prepared for how it would feel — the guide explained it so thoughtfully. Évora itself was stunning, so well-preserved and almost no tourists. And the wine tasting at the estate at the end was a perfect way to close the day. This was our favourite tour of the entire trip."
★★★★★
"We went to Évora on a whim and it completely blew us away. The Roman Temple in the middle of a medieval city is surreal. The Chapel of Bones is unlike anything we've ever seen. And the Alentejo wine was exceptional — we bought two bottles to take home. Small group, great guide, perfect day."
★★★★★
"I specifically wanted to do the Évora tour because everyone talks about Sintra. I'm so glad I chose this instead — Évora felt like a discovery. The guide was passionate and knowledgeable. The wine estate was gorgeous. And the Chapel of Bones was, genuinely, one of the most memorable things I've ever seen in Europe."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chapel of Bones in Évora?
The Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos) is a 16th-century chapel inside the Church of São Francisco in Évora, decorated with the skulls and bones of approximately 5,000 human remains exhumed from overcrowded cemeteries by Franciscan monks. Above the entrance reads: 'Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos' — 'We bones that are here await yours.' It is one of the most extraordinary and thought-provoking places in Portugal, and entry is included in your tour price.
What wines are tasted at the Alentejo estate?
The tasting features 3 to 4 regional Alentejo wines — typically a white and reds made from indigenous varieties: Aragonês, Trincadeira, and Alicante Bouschet. Alentejo is Portugal's most internationally awarded wine region, producing rich, full-bodied reds that reflect the hot, dry inland climate. Light snacks accompany the tasting.
Is this tour suitable for non-wine drinkers?
Yes — the wine tasting is a wonderful cultural experience even for non-drinkers. Non-alcoholic alternatives (juices, water) are available at the estate. The guide explains the winemaking process, the regional terroir, and the agricultural landscape, which is interesting regardless of whether you drink wine.
Can I book this as a private tour?
Yes — every tour is available as a fully private experience for your group, whether it's a couple, a family, or a larger group. Message us on WhatsApp to discuss dates and private pricing.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour start time. We're flexible in genuine circumstances — just message us on WhatsApp and we'll sort it out. No forms, no fuss.
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